Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz added to his strong American League Rookie of the Year candidacy on Thursday night in Houston.
The 2024 first-round draft pick doubled twice in the Athletics’ 5-2 win over the Astros at Daikin Park, giving him 38 total extra-base hits in his first 65 career MLB games.
Kurtz surpassed Philadelphia Athletics star and Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie for the most extra-base hits in the first 65 games in franchise history.
Kurtz’s first double came in the fourth inning, as he drove in Gio Urshela to extend the Athletics’ lead to 3-0.
Two innings later, Kurtz doubled to center with two outs, but was stranded when designated hitter Brent Rooker grounded out to end the frame.
“I mean, there’s not much more that’s going to wow me in terms of what he does,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters after the game. “He’s a special player. He’s showing that continually, the way he prepares himself and the way he carries himself. You can’t say enough good things about Nick.”
Kurtz finished the game with three hits in five at-bats, raising his season numbers to .288/.360/.622 to go along with 51 RBI.
While shortstop Jacob Wilson got all the early-season Rookie of the Year hype, Kurtz might be in the pole position with just over two months remaining in the 2025 MLB season.
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